16
17
BODY PIERCING
NOT INCLUDED
MIRANDA BALL
I spoke to David
Weekley who
DESCRIBED HIS
FAMILY’S
EXPERIENCE during
their BUTTERWORTH
POSTING as a vibrant
collage of travel,
food, culture and
community.
I
n the third and final
year of his posting,
David explained that it
was the sense of
community in Malaysia that
surprised him the most.
“Whether it is due to the
lack of family support, or
because there is such a large
ex-pat population in Penang,
the sense of community is
fantastic.
“It constantly amazes me
just how many opportunities
there are to become involved
in both the ADF and local
communities,” he said.
David could barely
contain his enthusiasm when
I asked him to describe
highlights of his time in
Malaysia.
“I’ve been to a
traditional Indian wedding,
played golf across South
East Asia, watched our son
compete in sports carnivals
in Malaysia, Thailand
and China, and worked
with fellow Defence
personnel from all over
the world.
“I even completed the
traditional Hindu Thaipusam
pilgrimage in Penang—
minus the body piercing!”
David explained that
while his kids don’t enjoy the
amount of homework and the
lack of backyard, there is
always a birthday party,
school function, language
class, music lesson or
sports training.
“Our boys are always busy
and have loved making friends
from 32 countries around the
world—yes we counted.”
David conceded that the
heat and dangerously
congested traffic can be
stressful and notes that the
“simple stuff” is a little more
difficult in Malaysia.
“Shops don’t open till
10 am or later, paying a bill can
take all day, and meat like
sausages and bacon aren’t
of the same quality as you
find in Australia.
“But I’ve travelled
throughout Malaysia and
Borneo, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia,
China and Europe and that’s
got to be a good thing!” n
Left to right: Monique, Josh (10),
Harrison (7), Cooper (5) and David
with their tour guide on an island in
Halong Bay, Vietnam. Photo used
with permission.
Families and friends
of Defence members
again JOINED THE
MARCH in the
Sydney GAY and
LESBIAN Mardi Gras
PARADE this year.
Morethan160militarypersonnel,
civilians, family and friends
marched in Defence’s
largest contingent to date.
In a first, the senior
enlisted members of Defence
led the contingent: Warrant
Officer of the Navy Martin
Holzberger, Regimental
Sergeant Major of the Army
Warrant Officer Dave Ashley,
and Warrant Officer of the Air
Force Mark Pentreath.
They were joined by their
partners, including Jenny
Ashley who said it was the
first time she had been on
parade with her husband.
“I’m very proud of him
and proud we were able to
be a part of this wonderful
celebration where there’s
just so much colour, energy
and support for diversity,”
Jenny said.
The ADF officer in charge
of the parade and President
of the Defence Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender and
Intersex Information Service,
DEFGLIS, Squadron Leader
Vince Chong, is delighted to
see the contingent growing
each year.
“The growing
participation at this parade
shows that Defence Force
culture has changed for the
better,” said Vince.
“It’s important that
personnel don’t edit their
families out of workplace
conversations when the
support they provide is vital
to serving members.
“To have the partners of
the senior enlisted members
march was recognition that
family structures in the ADF
are also diverse.”
Vince said DEFGLIS
provided an opportunity
for partners of serving
members to stay connected
when they move.
“The association can
assist with making new
connections in a new posting
locality while maintaining
existing connections through
our online community.”
“If the serving member
gets deployed, DEFGLIS
can support the partner
at home.”
Vince said DEFGLIS
hosts events around the
country each year, with the
Sydney Mardi Gras being
the event with the greatest
number of partners
participating. n
www.defglis.com.au
Lisa Padzensky (left),
Cathy Holzberger, Rebecca Kubitzky
and Jenny Ashley (front) lead the
DEFGLIS family and employee
contingent at the Sydney Mardi Gras.
Photo by Corporal David Said.
DFMMay2015
DEFENCE
REPRESENTS AT
SYDNEY
MARDI GRAS
ALEX DEVALENTIN
YOURSTORIES